Wreaths Across America convoy stops in Wallingford; town proclaims Dec. 9 remembrance day

Wallingford, Connecticut — Wreaths Across America paused in Wallingford on Dec. 9 as town officials, state legislators and veterans gathered for a remembrance ceremony and a proclamation naming the date "Wreaths Across America Day" in the community. Mayor Vincent Cervone presented the town proclamation and organizers outlined plans to place wreaths at local monuments before the convoy continues to Arlington National Cemetery.

The ceremony opened with a pledge of allegiance, the national anthem performed by Natalie Jamber, and legislative citations delivered by State Representative Craig Fishbein and State Representative Mary Mushinsky, who read an abbreviated statement from Governor Ned Lamont recognizing Connecticut’s stop on the convoy. Mayor Vincent Cervone told attendees that the convoy will stage 15 tractor-trailers on South Main Street and that the community would join wreath-laying at Town Hall monuments.

"Every wreath carried by this convoy represents a life lived, a family that sacrificed, a promise kept," the Moderator representing the Town of Wallingford said as the event began. Wayne Hansen, introduced as chairman of the Wreaths Across America board, thanked Wallingford for its welcome and described the convoy’s scale this year — nearly 5,600 locations nationwide and more than 3,000,000 wreaths distributed — and said Congress had approved a national Wreaths Across America Day for Dec. 13.

Major Justin Hardy, U.S. Marine Corps, delivered the event’s principal address, reflecting on the role of the fallen in shaping national character and describing his work supporting repatriation of missing service members. "The measure of a nation's honor is how it treats those who never came home," Hardy said, offering particular thanks to gold star families in attendance and closing with "God bless America" and "Semper Fidelis."

Representatives of the armed services were named to present wreaths for each branch: Rosemary DeAngelis for the Army, John Bunnell for the Navy, Roy Cannon for the Marine Corps, Robert Chatfield for the Air Force and George Messier as representative for the Coast Guard. After a musical tribute by Robert Bender and a prayer from Reverend Dean Warburton, organizers invited the public to proceed outside for wreath placement at the town’s monuments. Attendees expected to participate in the outdoor ceremony included Mayor Cervone, Town Council Chairman Joseph Marone, veteran service officer George Messier, police chief John Ventura, fire chief James Buck and Board of Education Chair Jennifer Passaretti.

The event combined ceremonial readings, performances and proclamations to mark Wallingford’s role as the Connecticut stop on the national convoy and to underscore organizers’ message to remember, honor and teach about military service. The procession and wreath-placement portion of the ceremony proceeded outside immediately following the indoor remarks.